About Alleghany Highlands
Community Services

Who We Are...

The Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals in our community with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities. AHCS is committed to preventing the occurrence of these conditions through an integrated community-based system of care. AHCS is committed to being responsive to individual needs and choices. Alleghany Highlands Community Services (AHCS) began in 1983 and is one of forty Community Services Boards and Behavioral Health Authorities established under the Code of Virginia to provide comprehensive services to individuals who have mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders. As the publicly funded safety net for service delivery, we must continuously monitor and evaluate our cost for services as well as the effectiveness of what we do. AHCS operates multiple service sites throughout the Alleghany Highlands, with over 127 employees working to support our services. We are proud to have served our community for 38 years. AHCSB is accountable to and licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) for the quality of care and fiscal accountability of the programs under its jurisdiction.

AHCS is governed by a nine-person all-volunteer board appointed with members from each jurisdiction by local governing bodies – Alleghany County, Clifton Forge and the City of Covington. The Board members are people from the community with various occupations and interests who serve three-year terms of office.

Description of Services

Mental Health

  • Emergency Services
  • Outpatient Services (Individual/Group Counseling)
  • Psychiatric Services
  • Medication Management
  • Family Counseling
  • Transitional Housing
  • Case Management
  • Community Support Services
  • Residential Services (New Beginnings)
  • Clubhouse Program
  • Therapeutic Day Treatment

Developmental Services

  • Early Intervention/Infant & Toddler Program
  • Support Coordination
  • In-home Residential Support; Personal Assistance
  • Respite Services
  • Skilled Nursing Service
  • Day Support Services
  • ICF/IID (Merryfield Residence)
  • Residential Services (Friendship Residence)

Substance Use & Prevention

  • Outpatient Services
  • Medical Detoxification
  • Residential Treatment
  • Prevention Services
  • Emergency Services
  • Individual/Group Counseling
  • Education
  • Transition & Intensive Case Management
  • Family Counseling
  • Adolescent Services
  • Alcohol/Drug Testing
  • Referral Services